This woman proves how important trusting the process whether in life or career.
24-year-old Danica Lynne Casta is a product of pandemic graduation. She finished a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and Management degree from the MAPUA University.
“Dream ko talaga siyang maging engineer kasi ‘yung dad ko is engineer. So bale do’n ako na encourage na maging engineer din and naging look-up ko din siya. Nag decide ako no’n na mag-apply bago ako mag fulltime kasi lockdown tapos kaka graduate ko [lang], hindi ko alam kung pa’no ako magi-i-start. Sa engineering kasi dito sa Philippines talaga ang hirap mag start lalo na ‘pag kaka graduate mo and then nag graduate kami no’ng lockdown,” Danica told The Philippine STAR.
During the lockdown, her family also experienced financial problems due to her father’s work amid the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kailangan niya na umuwi ng province. And then wala na kaming pang-sustain do’n sa nire-rent naming bahay,” she said.
Danica then decided to find an online job to rent a studio type apartment. All throughout the quarantine, Danica was forced to try new things. She then decided to bake a cake for her niece’s monthly birthday.
“‘Yung una kong cake, pangit talaga siya. Hindi siya puwedeng ibenta. Hanggang sa nag improve nang nag improve. And then may nag order sa akin na isang friend. And then after no’n, pinost ko ‘yung gawa kong cake sa mga food groups. So do’n na ‘ko nag start. Pinost ko do’n ‘yung mga cakes ko and then meron nang nag-oorder sa’kin,” she shared.
“So ang hirap talaga mag step nang parang hahanap ka ng work as a profession. So parang nandito na ‘ko sa way na ‘to so pinush ko nalang siya. And then kung ano ‘yung passion ko, dito ko na talaga nilagay lahat ng lakas ko and nagbunga naman siya,” she added.
In less than a year, she was able to reach more customers. Danica received an influx of cake orders on Father’s Day.
“Ang daming nag-order. Hanggang sa first month ko ‘yon as a full-time baker. Nag-earn ako agad ng six digits. ‘Yung naipon ko do’n sa last kong salary pinangbili ko siya ng oven na maliit,” she recalled.
Danica started being a full-time baker in June 2020.
“Kung hindi nag pandemic, hindi ko talaga magagawa ‘tong business na ‘to,” she said.
“Hindi ko talaga naisip na magiging baker ako kasi suntok sa buwan lang ‘yung lockdown tapos biglang nahilig ako mag bake. And then, ganto na nangyayari na. May business na bigla,” Danica stressed.
After being a one-man team, Danica now has eight employees and can accommodate more than a thousand orders per month. From earning a minimum salary from her previous online job, she now earns six figures a month.
Danica said that her degree somehow has similarities to her newly established cake business.
“Kasi sa construction ‘yung hinahalo nila is semento. Ako, ano eh, harina. Mga icing ‘yung hinahalo ko. Siguro ‘yun ‘yong similarities. Nakakatawa siyang isipin pero parang gano’n ‘yung similarities na nakita ko dito sa baking,” she said.
Looking back, Danica noted that she has no regrets on her career path since her parents and family were very supportive of her decision. Adding that in the future, she plans to pursue her career while managing her own business. Danica is currently taking up her master’s degree in Construction Engineering Management.
“Hopefully, ‘pag talagang super stable na ‘yung business ko, gusto ko rin talagang maging engineer someday,” she said.
“‘Yung message ko for all na gustong mag pursue ng dreams nila na malayo sa course nila, siyempre, kung passion mo talaga ‘yung ginagawa mo, kung gusto mo talaga, push mo lang ‘yon. Mas prefer ko talaga passion kasi kung hindi mo love ‘yung ginagawa mo, parang ilulugmok mo lang ‘yung sarili mo do’n sa work mo na ‘di ka naman masaya ‘diba?” Danica said as she gives a piece of advice to the young individuals,” she added.
